This watch belonged to my great grand father and has been in our house for quite a while, and now im starting to get interested in these old watches. I would like to know about on information pertaining to this timepiece. I know the year of manufacture was around 1919, but I don't know much else. There are two pictures, they aren't very good, but you can still see the watch. Thank you for any information. The serial number is 3562497.

Hi Matt,
welcome to the forum.
You're watch should be a 16 size 17 jewel, open face, model 7, Grade 304, from the serial number given. I will let far more knowledgable people chime in here with further information on your Illinois watch,
Bill

Hello Matt,

Welcome to IHC185....we appreciate you stopping by.

Bill has given you info that he was able to get by using the serial number you gave but the photos you refered to don't seem to be loading....

Did you download them or are you having a little trouble doing so....Let us know and we may be able to help you load them so that we can look at them....a picture really helps identify the watch....

Regards,

Jerry

Welcome to IHC185 Matt. Family pieces is what got me started in pocket watch collecting too.

Hey Matt,

Does your movement look like the one below?

Steve

Hey Steve, it looks exactly like that. I have the photos and I know how to post them, its just the files are to large and i have to resize them.

Here are better pictures.

inside

And the unengraved/marked back of watch. Overall this watch is very simple looking, but I really like it.

Matt,

More info for you. Your watch was one of 69,800 made and the date of manufacture is ~1919 as you already have found. It was "unadjusted" which means is was not guaranteed from the factory to keep the same time in all positions and hot and cold temperatures - so not a railroad grade watch.

With the wavy striped damaskeening pattern, gold plated train wheels, and gilded screws it is quite a nice movement. I love Illinois pocket watches because of the sheer variety of types available. Looks like you have a winner.

John III

Welcome Matt -

I'm with John III; the gilt hardware really set off a nice movement. The "red-ball" dial is also one of my favorites.

Thanks for the info. I know this is probably a loaded question, but just out of curosity, what is this watch worth? I could never sell something like this, but I would like to know. Thanks for the info, it has been very helpful.

Matt, the Price guide has your watch valued at the following values: ABP = $85.00, Ex-Fn=$140.00 and Mint=$200.00, but as you said, this watch is priceless, that you would never sell it....Most of us have watches that we feel the same way about....

I'm not going to let you get out of here without at least asking you to join us and continue your horological journey with us... the dues here at IHC185 are only $12.00 per year and the amount that you will be able to learn is enormous....I have provided a link for you to use if you feel inclined to do so....Join IHC185 You can click on that link and it will take you to the membership area....

Regardless of your decision, Good Luck to you and we hope you come back to see us again in the near future....

Regards,

Jerry

Thank you so much Jerry, I just might do that. I guess since I found this watch, I think I have the bug to get another one already.

Look out... , they bite pretty hard sometime....

Good Luck to you & yours,


Jerry

Matt, we all have the "bug" and I can assure that you join us, you can share our "group therapy" on how best to reward the Bug for fine watch making without the "bite" of being "fooled" by bedazzle and tom-foolery.